The drain brains making their mark in Manchester's famous square

Hardened cynics might say it is a drain on city council resources. But they embrace history and will be walked on by its citizens and visitors for decades to come.

The winning designs for cast iron drain covers which will be fitted as part of public realm works in Albert Square have been chosen. Six people will literally leave their mark in the newly pedestrianised famous city-centre location.

The square was famously painted by French Impressionist, Adolphe Valette. It was among his urban landscapes of Manchester where he lived and worked as a sign designer, and later as an art teacher. Among those he taught was L S Lowry. Other artists have also been inspired by the square, including Liam Spencer.

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The winners will see their artistic designs made into cast iron drain covers as part of an historic regeneration project, in what the city councuil say "will be one of the finest civic spaces not just in the UK but in Europe."

One of the six drain covers, has been designed by Manchester City Council’s lead designer, Craig Green and the five winners are: Barney Ibbotson from Whalley Range, Eddie Campbell from Didsbury, Faz Barber from Whalley Range, Olivia Clermont from Didsbury and Unity Arts and Dan Birkbeck based in Chorlton.

Olivia's design focused on the waterways which cross the city centre - the River Irwell; River Medlock; and Ashton and Bridgewater Canals. Dan was inspired by the famous Manchester bee, and has a honeycomb background. Eddie highlights areas in which the city has excelled - art, science, commerce, painting, architecture, and music. Barney's work signposts the Lancashire rose, its industrial heritage, and football.

Faz